UO chemist brings cutting-edge science to Oregon communities

A traveling version of the popular “science pub” series will explore the latest innovations in nanotechnologyEUGENE, Ore. — (Nov. 11, 2013) — Science will come out of the lab and into the bar as University of Oregon chemist David Johnson takes his “science pub” show on the road to three Oregon communities — Pacific City, St. Helens and Newberg.

Science pubs originated in the United Kingdom during the 1990s as a way to host conversations about cutting-edge science among curious people. The talks are delivered in a casual format that includes trivia and a question-and-answer session as customers enjoy food and drinks. At the Newberg event, the Dark Horse will offer a wine-tasting flight of at least 10 wines for $10 along with complementary light snacks.

The presentations begin with trivia at 6:30 p.m., followed by Johnson’s talk at 6:45 p.m.

“Science pubs offer a great opportunity to start a public conversation about some pretty complex subjects,” said Andy Bedingfield, director of education and outreach for the UO Materials Science Institute. “Not only does the audience learn a thing or two about science, but the presenters learn how to make their areas of expertise more understandable. At the end of the night, everyone walks away with their minds expanded.”

Johnson’s talk "Nanotechnology: Unveiling the Big World of the Very Small," will explore how materials barely a billionth of a meter in size are about to revolutionize such things as computer technology, renewable energy, medicine and building materials. The science pub program is an educational outreach component of the Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry. Researchers at the University of Oregon and Oregon State University jointly operate the National Science Foundation-funded center.

Johnson oversees educational efforts for the Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry. He is the UO's Rosaria P. Haugland Foundation Chair in Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Oregon. Outreach efforts will eventually extend throughout Oregon with the goal of igniting scientific curiosity among people of all ages.

About the University of OregonThe University of Oregon is among the 108 institutions chosen from 4,633 U.S. universities for top-tier designation of "Very High Research Activity" in the 2010 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO also is one of two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities.